Diaper rinser



W. HARRIS April 11, 1961 DIAPER RINSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14. 1959 .UQM/M W/m r W. HARRIS DIAPER RINSER April 11, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 writ Filed May 14. 1959 United States Patent- DIAPER RINSER Walter Harris, 149 S. Kenmore Ave., Apt. 9, Los Angeles, Calif.

Filed May 14, 1959, Ser- No. 813,313

3 Claims. (Cl. 68-213) This invention relates to apparatus for rinsing soiled and dirty baby diapers and, more particularly, to such apparatus for use in conventional toilet bowls.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus for pre-rinsing diapers to remove fecal matter therefrom in an effective and less distasteful manner than has heretofore been achievable.

The effectiveness of the rinsing is achieved by providing the soiled diaper with an up and down movement, as well as with a side to side movement in the toilet bowl.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate much of the handling of the soiled diaper in order to prerinse the diaper. The operator need not contact the soiled diaper when it is pre-rinsed in the toilet bowl. Contact with the diaper is required only when the diaper is afiixed to the diaper rinser apparatus of this invention before the pie-rinsing, and when the diaper is removed from the apparatus after the rinsing.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon consideraton of the following description when read in conjunction with the drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the diaper rinser apparatus of this invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the diaper rinser apparatus of this invention illustrating its operating position in a toilet bowl shown with a portion of the bowl removed to facilitate viewing the diaper rinser apparatus; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of the diaper rinser apparatus with its movable portion being rotated to a position which is 90 degrees from its position as shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figures 1 through 3, the diaper rinser apparatus includes a vertical rod 2 having a handle 1 aifixed to the top of the rod 2 and a friction resistant fitting 7 afiixed to the base of the rod 2. When the rod 2 is partially inserted in a toilet bowl in the manner depicted in Figure 2, the fitting 7 prevents scratching and marking of the toilet bowl. A movable vertical plate 3 is supported on the rod 2, and a horizontal plate 5 is alfixed to the vertical plate '3. An extension rod 6 supporting a handle 1 is attached to the centre of said vertical plate 3. The plate 5 has afiixed thereto two spring clamps 4 which are strong spring grips and metal teeth for the non-slip gripping of a diaper. Near the base of the vertical rod 2 is an extension rod 8 which is inserted into the drain opening of the toilet bowl to partially block the drain opening. If a diaper is accidentally dislodged from the clamps 4, friction resistant prongs 9 supported on the rod 8 prevent the diaper from being flushed into the drain opening. The extension rod 8 is pivotally attached to the vertical rod 2 at one end of the extension rod, and supports at its opposite end,four friction resistant prongs 9. The prongs end of the rod 8. The prongs 9 accordingly block the 2,978,893 Patented Apr. 11, 1961 ice drain opening in the toilet bowl when the apparatus is in position foruse. The extension rod 8 swings about its pivot pin on the rod 2, permitting easier placement and withdrawal from the drain opening.

The operation of the diaper rinser apparatus to prerinse a diaper is as follows: First, unsoiled ends of the diaper are inserted in the spring clamps 4; second, the diaper rinser apparatus is held by the handle 1 at the top of the vertical rod 2, and the prongs 9 are inserted into the drain opening at the base of the toilet bowl; and third, the handle 1 attached to the vertical rod 2 is grasped by the operator and moved up and down and rotated from side to side as long as is necessary for the fecal matter to be removed from the diaper.

The vertical movement of the vertical plate 3 and, therefore, of the diaper-attached by the clamps 4 to the plate 5 is limited by a stop pin 11. The pin 11 functions to limit the vertical movement of the plate 3 in either direction. The rotary movement of the plate 3 is not limited and is readily accomplished so that both a swishing or rotary agitating movement is imparted to the diaper as well as a plunging or up and down movement. The pre-rinsing has been found to be materially more effective when the combined movement is.

imparted to the diaper.

The prongs 9 and rod 8 serve a dual function in that they stabilize the vertical rod 2 by restricting somewhat any pivotal movements of the rod 8 about the fitting 7' at its bottom end. The apparatus is, accordingly, horizontally stabilized by the piable prongs 9 which block the drain opening. The drain opening may be screened or blocked in this manner without touching the prongs 9. The toilet bowl may be flushed either during or after the movement of the plate 3 by the handle 1.

The apparatus is readily removed from the toilet bowl without touching the diaper or immersing the hands of the operator by pulling the rod 2 upwardly. The prongs 9 flex so that they readily pull out of the drain opening.

Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to particular applications, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applications which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

I hereby claim the following:

1. A diaper rinser for use in a toilet bowl, including, a first rod to be vertically positioned in the toilet bowl, a'handle supported at one end of said first rod, a second rod pivoted on said first rod adjacent the other end of said first rod for partial insertion into the drain opening of the toilet bowl, a number of flexible prongs attached to an end of said second rod for insertion into the drain opening to screen the drain opening and block the passage of a diaper when the toilet bowl is flushed, and a movable member slidingly and rotatably mounted onv said first rod and including at least one clamp supporting the diaper to be rinsed.

2. A diaper rinser in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid movable member includes two support membersslidingly and rotatably mounted on said first rod at spacedl cluding, in addition, a stop pin mounted. on said first rod.

between the two support members of said movable memher for limiting the sliding movement of said movable member in both directions along said firstrod.

3. A diaper rinser for use in a toilet. bowl which has a drain opening, including, a cylindrical rod havinga first handle atone end to facilitate the insertion of the other end of said cylindrical rod into the toilet bowl; a movable member slidingly and rotatably mounted on said cylindrical rod and having a second handle for" facilitating the sliding and rotary movement of said mem- References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Weber Oct. 20, 1868 Brewer Nov. 2, 1909 Hough July 12, 1910 Hoffman .a May 27, 1952 Hoflman Mar. 19, 1957 Schif Aug. 27, 1957 

